Saturday, February 9, 2013

Historic Rice Hotel (1913), now Post Rice Lofts (photos)

Post Rice Lofts 909 Texas Ave Houston, TX 77002

Rice Hotel signage on roof of historic Downtown Houston hotel
Hogg Building in foreground (center)
After having stood empty and neglected for a decade or two, the iconic Rice Hotel (built in two phases in 1913 and 1925, respectively) reemerged as a central piece in Downtown Houston's revitalization in a new form - as Post-Rice Lofts, an apartment building with more than 300 units, some luxurious, others loft-style with brick walls exposed. The rehabilitation is the work of PageSoutherlandPage.



An array of restaurants, bars, and a coffee shop occupy the retail spaces at street level, including some with sidewalk patio areas offering dining and beverages al fresco, thus complementing the revitalization effort in the form of an urban living option in a historic building with a vibrant street scene that appeals to a audience broader than merely the urban dwellers on site. The second-floor ballroom of the fabled erstwhile hotel was also restored to its original grandeur, and again serves as an elegant venue for formal events. 

Post Rice Lofts signage and Chipotle Mexican Burrito Eatery on Main Street corner space.
East side of Rice Hotel Building - Chipotle Restaurant and sidewalk seating
The Rice Hotel Building - Pepper Jack's Mexican Restaurant [closed in May 2013]

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